Various Artists — Motor Psycho-Lux And Ivy Feel The Need For Speed
Motor Psycho sees the welcome return of Righteous’s Lux & Ivy compilations series, which sees respected journalist Dave Henderson crate-digging for crude, wacky, or wild 45s from the 50s & 60s. This time around, we get thirty tracks focusing on all things car/ motorbike related, for another rewarding & relatively varied collection with some surprises/ gems along the way.
As with all the other compilations in this series, the CD is presented in a see-through jewel case. This comes with a glossy eight-page inlay booklet- this takes in a three-and-a-half-page write-up about the collection from Henderson, and a selection of 50’s car-related graphics, vinyl labels, and fairly sparse track credits.
Things kick off in a suitable rough 'n' ready fashion with “Shot Rod” by Conny And The Bellhops, with its blend of careering bass & guitar, manically bound piano keys, woops ‘n’ yells, and mouth-made car noises. There’s the galloping percussion ‘n’ horns, wailing backing vocals, and baritone sung/ spoken male vocals of “Black Leather Trousers And Motorcycle Boots” by Vaughn Monroe with orchestra & Chorus. We have deep-almost-doomy bass gunning meets wiry guitar strumming instrumental of “Squad Car” by Don Cole.
In its second half, we have the jiving keys, hand claps, and sassy female vocals of Little Silva with Buddy Lucas and His Band Of Tomorrow’s “Drive, Daddy, Drive”. There’s “Fork In Da Road” by Billy Duke & His Dukes with its repeated 'take the road to the left, take the road to the right' backing vocals, jigging almost Arabic groove, and booming/theatrical sung-spoken male vocals. We have the jive talking male vocals, distant rock ‘n’ roll clutter, and overload car crashing ‘n’ smashing sound effects of “Transfusion” by Nervous Norvus.
It must be a year or so since the last Lux & Ivy compilations, and I was just getting to wonder if they be no more- so it certainly is wonderful to see this new release. And once again we get a good & varied selection of old 45’s- so, Motor Psycho- Lux And Ivy Feel The Need For Speed is another worthy addition to this series.